Propane Tank - Laying down for transport?

[Rickhuntfish]

Can I transport a 20lb propane tank on its side in my 5th wheel basement? I know I will have to secure it from rolling around, but the height with it standing up is the issue I have.

[powderman426]

Beside safety it isn't good for the float valve. The next time your at an rv place where they fill cylinders, ask them and they can show you how easily the valve can be damaged internally from the liquid sloshing around. Note this is for the older style. He said they have a newer type that isnt as likely to be damaged but I don't see any way to tell which kind it is unless the valve is removed..

[Old-Biscuit]

SaltiDawg wrote:
I'm not an RVer, but do RVs ever get stopped for an Inspection as some trucks do? If so, that may be a problem with a horizontally mounted propane cylinder.

It should only be mounted horizontally if it is actual horizontal cylinder like used in some truck campers.

And the only inspection might occur at some tunnels/ferries where it is required to be valved out.

[john_bet]

SaltiDawg wrote:
I'm not an RVer, but do RVs ever get stopped for an Inspection as some trucks do? If so, that may be a problem with a horizontally mounted propane cylinder.

I have never been stopped since we started rving in '82.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Rickhuntfish wrote:
Can I transport a 20lb propane tank on its side in my 5th wheel basement?

Not safely.

Doing so will disable the safety mechanisms built in for your protection.

If you're just wanting to carry some backup propane, you might consider an 11-lb. vertical like this one. Same width as the twenty, under a foot tall, a little over half the capacity. Enough to give you a couple days to fill your main tanks, and easy to store. I bought one for the same purpose and it's worked very well for me.

[SaltiDawg]

I'm not an RVer, but do RVs ever get stopped for an Inspection as some trucks do? If so, that may be a problem with a horizontally mounted propane cylinder.

[Old-Biscuit]

The following is from 'propane101.com'


Position of LP Gas Cylinders In Storage

Propane cylinders should always be positioned so that their relief valve is in direct communication with the vapor space of the container. Cylinders that are stored vertically upright will have the relief valve communicating with vapor space. Regarding the cylinder relief valve, it is important to keep the safety relief valve pointed away from anything that escaping propane could come in contact with possibly causing a fire or accident. If cylinders are stored improperly, such as on their side with the relief valve in contact with propane liquid and the safety relief valve opens for any reason, liquid will be escaping instead of vapor posing a much greater danger. In short, be sure the relief valve is communicating with the vapor space of the tank. All consumer propane cylinders should be stored vertically upright in all circumstances.


A 'vertical' propane cylinder should always be vertical......filling, in use, transporting, storage

Not everyone does........you decide if risk/benefit is worth it.

Why not secure it in bed of truck?

[wgriswold]

That would not be a good idea. If the pressure in the tank causes the relief valve to open liquid propane will be expelled instead of gas. When the liquid then evaporates much more gas will be in the compartment than would be there if gas were expelled.